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He chuckled as though he found her truly a Eyes still on her, he walked around the bench until he stood within touching distance Alht leg back a long step The fighting stance she’d drilled over and over with Jig and Izzy provided comfort

“Retract those claws, kitten,” he said “Don’t you want an answer to your question?”

No She wanted nothing more than for him to disappear Not only had he scared her and pissed her off, but now he’d ruined a place she’d considered her safe haven

But the guy had a reason for being there Whatever that reason was, she’d bet it was bigger than her It had so to do with the Handlers, and Chloe needed to find out so she could relay the e to Rocket or Copper After a breath, she relaxed her posture, letting her hands fall to her sides, but keeping them fisted

“Speak,” she said

Crank pulled a cigarette of his pocket, lit it, inhaled, then blew out a long cloud of same, and one she refused to lose He could make her wait, take his sweet ti him for information

Finally, after another drag, he said, “Had to meet the woman Lefty lost his life over”

She forced herself not to react on the outside while reeling on the inside How did he know? Outside Rocket’s brothers, the only person who knehat had happened to her, the real story, was her brother Scotty And even he didn’t know the name of the man who’d kidnapped her, raped her, and had beaten here bloody, flipping her world on its ass

So how did this guy, this random biker know details no one else did?

“I—” she cleared her throat “I don’t knohat you’re talking about”

“Oh, co so well Let’s not start lying to each other now I know all about you All about the time you spent in a certain motel room last year And all about the man who rescued you”

She couldn’t speak Could barely draw in a chilly breath Rocket’s past was mired in secrecy and operations so confidential he couldn’t begin to tell her aboutout loud

Chloe’s mind raced as she tried to form her next words Before she had a chance to speak, Crank said, “Just wanted to introduce myself, kitten Met a few other ol’ ladies at the diner the other day It’s nice to kno easily I can…get in touch with the Handlers’ women”

A subtle threat?

“You know hih the fear